Religious Symbolism in Painting The Adoration of the Kings by Jan Gossaert

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Religious Symbolism in Painting The Adoration of the Kings by Jan Gossaert

'The Adoration of the Kings' by Jan Gossaert was painted in the early

part of the 16th century and is the perfect example of how religion

and art can be incorporated with one another to create a popular

image. The scene present is that of the visit from the three wise men

soon after the birth of baby Jesus.

The whole event is centred around a ruinous edifice, which

appropriately symbolises the old order in which things were. For

example, the Jews had suffered a wave of malice in which they had

succumbed to a role of subservience. However, the presence of the new

Christ signifies a new start. As stated in Matthew 2:1-12 of the

Bible, the painting also displays the three wise men, Casper,

Balthasar and Melchior, and the star that they had followed from the

east in order to reach the 'King of the Jews' (Matthew 2:1-12) in

Bethlehem. With them, the three kings are pictured to have brought the

traditional gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, each in their

individual golden chalices. The gold, which is being presented by

Casper, is a symbol of the Christ's kingship, the frankincense

represents his divinity and the myrrh is present to foreshadow his

selfless sacrifice to his followers. Similarly, a carving on a column

above Casper also predicts his death.

The star directly above Mary and Jesus symbolises God the Father and

the Dove beneath it is representative of the Holy Spirit. In addition

to this, with Jesus directly under both, the Holy Trinity is created.

Also present in the sky is the celestial order of nine angels, each

dressed in clothes reminiscent of those worn during Mass. Joseph, the

aged old man in red behind Mary, is shown to be the only person gazing

as if into Heaven or at the star or the spectacle of the arriving

angels. This is suggestive of the fact that despite his absence from

the main part of the painting, his role and position within the story

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